When Maddison first broke into the Saints team and played alongside the no-nonsense stopper.

“He was a big, strong centre-half,” he recalled. “He wasn’t the greatest on the ball but he was imposing and quick and good in the air.

“And he was tough. He was good to have around if it turned into a bit of a battle. He loved a tackle.”

Bernie Slaven, a team-mate at Boro, added: “I’ve just heard the tragic news that Jon Gittens has past away.

“Jon was a great pro and a great character and will always be remembered for his vital goal against Wolves which got us promoted.

“RIP and condolences to his family.”

And Argentina World Cup winner and his former boss at Swindon Ossie Ardiles also paid tribute on twitter.

“Very very sad to hear the terrible news that Jon Gittens died,” said the former Spurs ace.

Ardiles was the boss at Swindon when they won the play-offs to reach the first division in 1990 only to have their promotion blocked for financial irregularities, with defeated Sunderland taking their place.

“I loved him. His sense of humour, his “never surrender” attitude to play football. We spent an incredible season together at Swindon.

“RIP my friend. My thoughts and prayers with his family and friends.

Boro and all his previous clubs plus Hampshire FA and the national coaching centre at St George's P all paid tribute.

Gittens played for Swindon and Southampton before signing for Lennie Lawrence in February 1992, initially on loan.

He played 12 games and scored one goal - ‘that’ goal - in the promotion run in then made a £350,000 permanent switch in the summer.

In the Premier League he struggled to nail down a place and played just 13 games before moving on to Portsmouth, then Torquay and Exeter.

After a spell in non-league football management with Fareham and the Southampton Solent University side he studied sport sciences at Bournemouth University and took his UEFA A badges.

For the last few years he has been working for the FA as part of the national development programme, coaching coaches.